The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-07-28

briefly. to Mr.. Jones. who complied so
promptly rs greatly TO sstonish Tad,
and then, obodfcnt 10 q gesture from
him Of the cane. the fraudulent Jones
vanished with considerable celebrity
round the nearest corner. while the
small msn walked quietly away.
"That's City Detective Blossom-he's
been in Our place lots Of times" Tad
heard q telegraph mossengerboy in
form another, in awe-struck tones,
and, after adniringiy watching the
Small man out Of sight, the two scam
pered CT together.
"Strikes me inst nv friend Jones
won't get hold of this Same little bag
as easy as he thought for" chuckled
Tad, unconscious that the gentleman
in question, with his hat pulled down
over his forehead like the villain in a
play, was watching his movements
from a neighboring doorway.
But whittier should Tad turn his foot
steps? Uptown or downtown, or
stop minute! The sachel must con-
tain something of more than ordinary
value-a fact which the fraudulent
Jones had in some way discovered, else
why was he so anxious to get posses
sion of it?
Chaps like him don't take the
chances on An empty bag" soliloquized
Tad, with wise shake of the head,
'and, accordin' to my way of thinking,
somebody'll be Offering reward for
this bit of property before long"
Which reasoning resulted in Tad's
investing half his stock of ready cash
in the purchase of three daily papers,
in whose columns he hoped to find pos
sible mention made of the lost sachel.
The purchase itself decided the direc-
ton Of his steps. He knew that along
most city wharves were sheltered and
sunny spots, where he could sit down
and glance over his papers und;s-
turbcd by officious policemen.
Having been duly directed by a
sharp-voiced newsboy. Tad began max
ing his way wharfward, through mar
row and not particularly inviting
street, known as Lewis Lane. The
theory of cause and effect was visible
on every hand, in the shape of flourish
ing liquor-shopS and miserable tene-
ments. Shabbily-dresscd men lounged
on every corner, filling the air with
Oaths and tobacco-smoke, while shrill-
voiced women gossiped in the door
ways and swarms of dirty children pad
died in the cutters.
Come, now-you give us that purp"
said a threatening voice, and Tad
looked suddenly round. Avery ragged
boy, whose hair was cut close to his
bullet head, stood confronting Il neatly
dressed girl, rather younger than HIM
self. who, from her appearance, way
evidently stranger in the neighbour
hood.
'Av We don't hand i'm over, Wen
take i'm away from yez in lcss'n two
shakes" chimed in Hibernian voice,
whose owner was a red-haired youth of
fourteen summers or whereabouts. In
his dirty fingers was string from
which danglcd an empty UPSTREAM,
destined, us Tad at once saw. as an
attachment to the tail of a small and
decidedly dirty dog which the girl was
hugging tightly against her white
apron. very much to its detriment.
The yO1np and unOrotpctad female
compressed her lips, and, looking quite
deEantly at her opponents, deigned no
reply to their amiablc intimations. But
Tad thought that she also glanced at
him rather anxiously, Us though fearing
he might array himself on the side Of
the foe.
Sure, l w'udn't be afearcd of 4
gurrl, Bob" scornfully insinuated the
red-headed, in an unde-tonc, and, thus
stimulated, Bob took Il step forward,
but Tad was too quick for him.